The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) in partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) held a technology demonstration in Brgy. Barayong, Abuyog, Leyte on August 27.
The event, titled “PHilMech RCEF Technology Demonstration using Crop Establishment Technologies for NIA’s Rice Contract Farming Program,” attracted the participation of 87 members of farmers cooperatives and association (FCAs) and irrigators association (IA) from the region.
A key component of the event was its integration with NIA’s Rice Contract Farming Program. This program is designed to ensure that farmers have a secure market for their produce, thereby providing them with the confidence to invest in new agricultural machines.
By entering into contracts, NIA will provide financial assistance with a total worth of Php50,000 (farm inputs, seeds and cash). With these, farmers are also guaranteed a fair price for their rice, which helps stabilize their income. The program also promotes the use of crop establishment technologies for their rice planting.
Agricutural officials from PHilMech, NIA , PhilRice and DA-RFO VIII was present at the event together with the local government unit of Abuyog, Leyte. Their presence signaled the government’s strong support for agricultural innovation and its commitment on improving the livelihoods of Filipino farmers.
The demonstration aimed to showcase the actual planting of crop establishment technologies such as mechanical rice transplanter and precision rice seeder to enhance rice farming efficiency and increase yield in the area.
One of the farmer-participants expressed his optimism after witnessing the demonstration, saying, “Maganda itong panimula na nakikita namin paano ang pagtatanim gamit ang mga transplanter, dahil alam mo naman ang mga magsasaka to see is to believe at kailangan nating maniwala at sumunod sa mga pagbabago dahil dito tayo uunlad..” Aleser Amarilla, President of BGIA said.
“Ako bilang magsasaka susunod ako (sa pagbabago) dahil itong lahat ay para sa ating mga magsasaka, kaya salamat sa pamilyang PHilMech at pamilyang NIA sa suporta niyo sa aming magsasaka upang kami ay mabigyan ng benipisyo mula sa gobyerno” he added.
The event is part of a broader initiative to introduce new farming technologies to local farmers, helping them increase yield and ensure the sustainability by providing them assistance from different agency under the Department of Agriculture. //JLPMina (FB, DA-PhilMech, August 28, 2024)
